Understanding Classical Chinese Medicine

Classical Chinese Medicine can be divided into two disciplines: Acupuncture and Botanical Medicine.

The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Qi (pronounced "chee") present in every living creature. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. The body is divided into a system of twelve meridians. Each meridian must be open and flowing for proper health. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness occur.

The job of an Acupuncturist is to identify the meridians that are "blocked" and choose the appropriate acupuncture points to release them.

Acupuncture is a medical procedure that consists of the gentle insertion of hair-thin, disposable sterile needles at strategic body points to treat various health conditions, stimulate the body's healing response, and promote physical and emotional well-being. Chinese Medicine (or Oriental Medicine) originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, making Acupuncture one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

Classical Chinese botanical medicine also boasts a two-thousand year history of service to humanity. Medicinal plants are combined in a very specific way to treat each condition. The combination of botanicals (plants) is called a "formula". Formulas can be used in combination with acupuncture.